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Former Superstar Boxer Would End Retirement for Exhibitions Versus Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather
By Anthony Walker,
11 hours ago
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
As Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather extend their careers on the exhibition circuit, another former champion would consider reemerging, but only under the right conditions.
In an interview with Action Network , Amir Khan dismissed the idea of ending his retirement unless either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather stood across from him in the ring.
“I don’t think I will unless a Floyd Mayweather fight was there. The only two fighters I would make a comeback for is Floyd or Manny Pacquiao. Other than that, no, I’m not interested at all. I won’t fight KSI. The thing is, I’ve done it at the highest level and don’t have the fire in my belly anymore.”
Despite his willingness to face Manny Pacquiao, Khan feels it’s unlikely for a couple of reasons. “Manny looked sh*t in his last fight, really bad. Manny won’t want to fight me, and I like him,” he said referring to the three-round draw against former kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo.
The exhibition bout, which was part of Super RIZIN 3 this past July, was contested under boxing rules. Pacquaio’s performance was widely panned and did not instill any confidence over a reported comeback attempt from the eight-division belt holder.
Additionally, Khan feels that the influence of Saudi power player Turki Alalshikh is another potential roadblock to facing the aforementioned legends. “They’re looking for a big paycheck from Saudi, Qatar, or Dubai. But it’s going to be hard because obviously Saudi and Turki Alalshikh will never do an exhibition fight,” he said.
Amir Khan: Manny Pacquiao in ’12 Months, Otherwise I’m Done’
Amir Khan’s lukewarm attitude towards a showdown with Pacquiao contradicts the chatter from both camps in recent months. When speaking to the Daily Mail in late 2023, the former WBC and WBO title challenger called the idea “a brilliant fight.”
As recently as March, Pacquiao advisor Sean Gibbons stated that “Manny would be happy to fight Amir Khan” in an exhibition match.
The clock is ticking on the long-discussed pairing of former training partners. “It will have to be in the next 12 months. Otherwise, I am done,” Khan said.
The two were reportedly booked to face one another in 2017 when Pacquiao held the WBO welterweight title, but the fight never materialized. Khan retired in 2022 following a TKO loss to Kell Brook.
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